FREEHOLD, NJ – Raquel Garajau, 21, of Frontier Way in Tinton Falls, was sentenced to 33 years in prison for her role in the murder of Trupal Patel, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Freehold Superior Court Judge, the Honorable Joseph W. Oxley J.S.C., sentenced Garajau. The sentence carries a minimum of 30 years before she is eligible for release. Once released, Garajau will be under parole supervision for five years.

Garajau, was found guilty, following a jury trial in September of the crimes of first degree Felony Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Marijuana, Theft of Marijuana, Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Cash, Theft of Cash, Conspiracy to Possess a Weapon For an Unlawful Purpose, Possession of a Weapon For an Unlawful Purpose, Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Hindering the Apprehension of Oneself, Hindering the Apprehension of Another (Villani) and Tampering with a Witness, pertaining to the February 2017 murder of 29-year old Patel of Brick.

LITTLE SILVER, NJ - On Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 9:14 pm, the Little Silver Police Department received numerous reports of a suspicious social media photo of what appeared to be a firearm with a caption “Stay Tuned”. This post was not directed to any individual or institution, however a screenshot of the post was circulated through students of Red Bank Regional High School.

This post was immediately and thoroughly investigated by Little Silver and Red Bank Police Detectives, as well as the School Resource Officer and found to have originated from a student of Red Bank Regional High School. RBR School administrators were notified of these findings. Police Officers located the subject who had made this posting and after interviews there was no evidence to support a threat of danger to the public or the school. The firearm depicted in the social media post was seized by police and was found not to be an actual firearm, but an air-soft gun which could reasonably be mistaken as real. The subject who posted the photo was arrested at approximately 11:00 pm and charged with NJSA 2C:33-3 (Creating False Public Alarm) and released on a summons pending a court appearance.

ASBURY PARK, N.J.—TEDxAsburyPark, an annual Jersey Shore-based conference celebrating community, education, and innovation, has announced eight of the anticipated twenty-five speakers in the lineup for the 2019 event. This year’s event, focusing on the theme of “CHAOS,” will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at the Paramount Theatre on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.

TEDxAsbury Park emphasizes the notion of “ideas worth spreading” through the annual event that prides itself on the surrounding community. Each year, a group of diverse speakers present their stories in the reflection of the event’s theme. In its seventh year, TEDxAsburyPark will feature TED-style talks by comedians, entrepreneurs, musicians, scholars, and many more, all tied to this year’s theme of “CHAOS.”

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS - Bayshore Pharmacy Cards & Gifts and Middletown Family Pharmacy of Belford are offering patients who are federal employees furloughed by the Government shutdown a deferred payment plan for their medications.

“With the peak of cold and flu season upon us, we do not want our patients to skip their medications” said Richard P. Stryker, owner of Bayshore Pharmacy and a partner of Middletown Pharmacy. “By offering a deferred payment plan, our patients will not have to worry about choosing whether to make their mortgage payment or purchase medications for their family.”

Long Branch, NJ, January 8, 2019 – Hundreds of Monmouth County families enjoyed a brighter holiday season this year, thanks to area businesses, organizations and individuals who partnered with Family & Children’s Service (FCS) to support the agency’s annual toy drive, Operation Sleighbells. The program, which traces its roots back to the agency’s founding in 1909, provided thousands of donated toys, books, coats, pajamas and infant necessities to more than 1,700 local children in need, including 400 children served by child protection programs in central and southern Monmouth County. Dozens of volunteers helped collect sort, and distribute the gifts in the two weeks leading up to the holidays.

“It’s quite an operation,” FCS board chair Deborah Zilai explained. “It’s really rewarding to see all the things that the community has done to support their neighbors in need.”

Monica Montgomery, Founder of Museum of Impact: Fuses Social Justice, History & Art

RED BANK, NJ- Each new year brings new opportunities and possibilities for the future. This year, 2019, is truly the year for the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center. And the Fortune Foundation is proud to announce that Monica Montgomery of the Museum of Impact (MOI), has signed on as curator of the soon-to-be T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center. Montgomery is a leading curatorial figure in the museum industry. Known internationally, Montgomery’s signature motif fuses social justice, history, and art together to tell meaningful stories.

This project has been in the works for over 10 years and is finally coming to fruition. The soft opening date is set for the month of February, which is fitting, considering it is Black History month; a time to honor the great African Americans who paved the way for our futures.

Red Bank, NJ – The Community YMCA and the YMCA of Western Monmouth County are pleased to announce their 30th Annual Commemorative Breakfast celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 21, 2019, from 8 to 10 a.m., at Branches Catering, 123 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch.

The annual event honors the civil rights leader, recognizes student essay winners and encourages community service in memory of Dr. King.

Farmingdale, NJ – United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties (UWMOC) announces the expansion of the Financial Success Center (FSC) Network from a flagship location in the Freehold Raceway Mall to ten sites throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Free services are now provided in Bayville, Eatontown, Freehold, Keansburg, Long Beach Island, Manahawkin, Neptune, Red Bank, South Toms River and Toms River. The FSC Network is a partnership of eight organizations: Affordable Housing Alliance, Child Care Resources of Monmouth County, Fulfill, Mental Health Association of Monmouth County (MHAMC), Monmouth County Workforce Development Board, Navicore Solutions, Social Community Activities Network (SCAN), St. Francis Community Center (LBICC) and UWMOC.

MIDDLETOWN, NJ - This is a question that members of the Garden Club R.F.D. get all the time. They are members of a garden club that makes its home in a building in Middletown that was once a one room schoolhouse and is known today as “The Little Red Schoolhouse”. The building sits on township property at the corner of Middletown Lincroft and Dwight Roads, across from Thompson Middle School and Nut Swamp Elementary School.